need to chose a helmet

Well im about to go helmet shopping, just a bit undecided as to what to get.
I dont want to buy a shoei, cos i have a budget and they dont really fit in with my plans. Im looking at something between $0 and $500, $600+ is out but willing to go that high if the helmet comes with built in head massager or something that really makes it stand out.

So far ive been looking and saw a couple i like, i plan on going to try these on on the weekend, but was hoping for some input from members if they owned one of these, or could suggest something i should try this ive overlooked.
Brand is not important to me, as much as comfort, but i am staying clear of THH and while ive heard nothing really bad about the RJAYS helmets, id rather not, but ill give them a go id someone can convince me otherwise.

Anyway here is what i have been looking at so far

Shark RSI Dual Tone Helmet

Shoei TZR Tide Helmet <--$99 over budget but like i said, if someone can talk me into this one ill consider it

KBC VR2R

HJC FS15 <--I already had an HJC but the C15, it did the job and saved my head but im wanting to try another brand

AGV K3 <--Really cheap for an AGV, whats wrong with it???

AGV K4


if you wear something i havent listed and you can swear by it id like to hear about it too, oh and if you can link me to a cheaper site to buy them from im all open for suggestions

Mate just get in there & try em all on....... I did this & walked away with an AGV after the last 3 road helmets were shoei.
Whatever you do... do not go to the helmet wareh0use...... talk about shonky & crap stock

Try them and see what you like (as per Rob). That's the only way to really know if the helmet is for you.

I've got 2 RJays and have to say I'm happy with both. Build quality is good as is fit and finish. Ventilation is great. I find them comfortable and happy to wear them. Visors for them are very well priced as well. I'd not hesitate to buy another one.

dont go the KBC. they age quickly, the locking system is dogey and unsecure, the padding is noisey and looses shape very quickly.

since then i went to the shark RSR2 and RSI and have never looked back (had 3 of them). god thing is that they are under 500

yeah i know that the best way is to try them, thats why im going on the weekend, but by trying them on alone you wont be able to know things such as what Russ just pointed out (thanks mate )

I plan to try them all, with the exception now of the KBC

I'd second Russ's comments on avoiding the KBC - Korean Bicycle Company says it all to me ... plus I've got one and it's crap.

My last few have been Shoei's but I think my next will be a Shark.

Try some Arai's on. If they fit, wander around until you find someone with a deal on them. I can usually pick one up for around $500-600 when I update. That's of course as I said...if they fit. If they do fit you, I can gaurantee you will find them the best helmet you have ever used. I've had AGV's, Shoei's, OGK's and BMW's lately and I still reckon the BMW helmet is the best I have ever had apart from the tinted visor being crap, but they are no longer available and also cost like $800+. Apart from that, the last two Arai's I have had are brilliant. The first one lasted me ten years and believe it or not, I still ahve it and it is wearable and still comfortable. I just retired it due to it's age. The other I have now had for 4 years and is still brilliant. i wore it on the CDT and it never annoyed me like other lids do on a long day. The visor system is also brilliant if someone who knows shows you how to operate it properly.

Arai's must have lots of room for those little electronic note takers....eh Marty
No-one has a ride report memory that detailed

I recommend AGV Stealth... but then it fit my head...

Only downside I found with it was trying to find replacement visors in country Victoria... when i smashed it last year on tour

Love my Shark! Great piece of kit!

Tried a couple of Arias on last week felt fantastic!

Wear my Rjays commuting sometimes for a change.

Difference between Shark (RSX) and RJays (Fugitive) is night and day!

Visor twice and thick and doesn't scratch or fog (rjays does)
Foam firm and quiet.
Shark outer shell cracks as soon as it gets a drop/bump so you know it's happened (good or bad you decide) rjays you could smash and you wouldn't know it had happened.
Shark clip/d-buckle easier to use.
Better visibility in shark.
Shark visors really easy to exchange.

Mate just get in there & try em all on....... I did this & walked away with an AGV after the last 3 road helmets were shoei.
Whatever you do... do not go to the helmet wareh0use...... talk about shonky & crap stock

Hi Owen, my last two Shoei helmets have come from Helmet warehouse, but, they tend to buys shitloads of a few designs, if you like that design then they are a pretty good price, but if you don't there is not much other choice and in my experience they're not negotiable at all on price of their other stock, and it's a long way to go from the northside.

Matt

Make sure they fit your head, some helmets will press on your forehead, others in other places, they must all be subtly different shapes. Get one that fits good, looks good (green) and is good quality. I have an Arai and a Shoei, but would also probably wear a Shark, AGV or some of the better Nolans (I would have bought a Stoner replica 2 years ago if they fitted my head shape).

Personally I wouldnt buy a helmet online unless I had tried that exact one on somewhere cause they all (the different brands) fit your head differently regardless of size. I have had a Shoei which I loved because it was pretty and it blocked out wind noise well - but one drop in the garage and it cracked Next was a shark - which is still my favourite fitting helmet, but it doesnt match my gear (yes, this is important to me ) and my newest one is my AGV stealth - which I love the look of, and the fit of, but have issues with visability out of it when leaning over the tank... Im not sure if the visor area is smaller or its just the angle that its at.. but anyhoo the point of my post is : try them all on and if possible sit on a bike and see which one is best for you

try them all on and if possible sit on a bike and see which one is best for you

Agree, position on a zx6r means one of my helmets is no good now, was fine on the standard bike!

I have always bought Shoei until my last purchase, a Shark RS2, in 2007. It was a couple of hundred dollars cheaper and $$ were important at the time. I am very happy with it, although a little more wind noise, but apparently newer Shoei have more wind noise than the older ones........

If I were buying a helmet tomorrow, I would start with the better brands and go down until I found the best fit......... The prices are comparable now to quality and year model (colours).... so you get what you pay for and the price is forgotten long after the quality remains